October 5, 2025 – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released updated vaccine guidance for the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season and issued a statewide standing order to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines across Illinois.
The new guidance was developed following recommendations from the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee (IL-IAC), a panel of 20 medical and public health experts. The guidance outlines immunization recommendations for influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19, and continues to support the CDC’s routine vaccination schedules for children and adults issued on August 7, 2025.
Key Vaccine Recommendations
Flu Vaccine:
- Recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.
RSV Vaccine:
- Pregnant individuals (weeks 32–36 of pregnancy).
- Infants under 8 months without maternal RSV protection enter their first RSV season.
- Children 8 to 19 months at increased risk of severe RSV.
- Adults 50–74 at increased risk.
- All adults 75 and older.
COVID-19 Vaccine:
- Children aged 6 months to 23 months.
- Children 2–17 with risk factors, weakened immunity, no prior COVID-19 vaccination, or living in congregate settings.
- Children 2–17 without risk factors if requested by a parent or guardian.
- Pregnant, postpartum, and lactating individuals, and those planning pregnancy.
- All adults 18 and older.
IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra issued a statewide standing order allowing pharmacies and other clinical settings to administer COVID-19 vaccines in line with state recommendations. The order is intended to increase accessibility and streamline vaccine delivery. COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain covered by federal programs, ACA-compliant plans, and most private insurers.
For non-seasonal immunizations, IDPH continues to endorse the CDC’s August 7, 2025, schedules for both children and adults. These schedules remain in effect unless new guidance is released by federal agencies or medical specialty organizations.
IDPH emphasized that the updated guidance was issued due to disruptions in the federal vaccine review process. The state aims to maintain consistency in public health recommendations and ensure access to preventive care during the fall respiratory illness season.
Residents can find vaccine providers through the IDPH Vaccine Locator Dashboard, and track flu and COVID-19 trends via the Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard. The department recommends early vaccination ahead of the expected winter surge in flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases.
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